Gaming apparatus and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A gaming apparatus includes a roulette wheel having a plurality of numbered pockets, a memory that stores a plurality of control data in each of which at least one of a roulette wheel rotation condition and a ball launching condition and a controller. Based on the control data, probability of receiving a ball in a specific area of the plurality of pockets increases. During a game with one control data, the controller is operable to provide notice of advancing the game with another control data after a predetermined number of games is executed when a predetermined condition has been met. Then, the controller is operable to advance the game by changing the one control data to the other control data after the predetermined number of games is executed and thereby changing the specific area having the increased probability of receiving the ball.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/858,930, filed on Nov. 15,2006; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming apparatus, such as a roulettegaming machine, a bingo gaming machine, etc. and a control methodthereof.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, in a roulette game, a game is executed generally by adealer throwing in a ball onto a roulette wheel. Recently, automationhas developed and a gaming apparatus has bee proposed, in which theroulette game progresses completely automatically without the need forthe dealer to throw in a ball.

Among such gaming apparatuses, there is a gaming apparatus in which aball is launched by air as disclosed in the pamphlet of InternationalPublication WO2004/094013. With a gaming apparatus in which the roulettegame progresses completely automatically, it is thought to be preferablethat a ball fall in each pocket and be received therein with a uniformprobability. Because of this, among such gaming apparatuses, there isone designed so as to disturb the behavior of a ball by providing bumpsand dips on the surface of the ball track so that the ball falls in eachpocket with a uniform probability.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming apparatushaving new entertainment and a control method thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming apparatuswhich comprises the following configuration. That is, the gamingapparatus comprises a roulette wheel having a plurality of pocketsnumbered respectively; a memory that stores a plurality of control data;and a controller. In each of the control data, at least one of aroulette wheel rotation condition and a ball launching condition is setso that probability of receiving a ball in a specific area of theplurality of pockets increases. The controller is operable to (a)provide, during a game executed based on one control data stored in thememory, notice of advancing a game based on another control data afterexecuting a predetermined number of games when a predetermined conditionhas been met, (b) change the one control data to the other control datato change the specific area having increased probability of receivingthe ball after having executed the predetermined number of games, and(c) advance the game based on the other control data.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when thepredetermined condition has been met, the notice is provided that thegame is advanced by the other control data which is different from theone control data after the predetermined number of games is executed.Then, the control data is changed to change the specific area having theincreased probability of receiving the ball and then the game isadvanced.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming apparatuswhich comprises the following configuration. That is, the gamingapparatus comprises a roulette wheel having a plurality of pocketsnumbered respectively; a memory that stores a plurality of control data;and a controller. In each of the control data, at least one of aroulette wheel rotation condition and a ball launching condition is setso that probability of receiving a ball in a specific area of theplurality of pockets increases. The controller is operable to (a) make awinning determination when a predetermined condition has been met duringa game based on one control data stored in the memory, (b) providenotice of advancing the game based on another control data afterexecuting a predetermined number of games when winning is determined inthe winning determination, (c) provide notice of advancing the gamebased on the other control data after executing a fake number of gameswhen losing is determined in the winning determination, the fake numberof games being different from the predetermined number of games, (d)change the one control data to the other control data to change thespecific area having increased probability of receiving the ball afterhaving executed the predetermined number of games, and (e) advance thegame based on the other control data.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the winningdetermination is made when the predetermined condition has been met.Then, when winning is determined by the winning determination, thenotice is provided that the game is advanced by the other control datawhich is different from the one control data after the predeterminednumber of games is executed. On the other hand, when winning is notdetermined by the winning determination, the notice is provided that thegame is advanced by the other control data after the fake number ofgames which is different from the predetermined number of games isexecuted. Then the control data is changed to change the specific areahaving the increased probability of receiving the ball after thepredetermined number of games is executed and then the game is advanced.

A third aspect of the present invention provides control method of agaming apparatus which comprises the following configuration. That is,the control method of the gaming apparatus comprises: (a) providing,during a game executed based on one control data among the plurality ofcontrol data in each of which at least one of a roulette wheel rotationcondition and a ball launching condition is set so that probability ofreceiving a ball in a specific area of the plurality of pockets numberedrespectively on a roulette wheel increases, notice of advancing a gamebased on another control data after executing a predetermined number ofgames when a predetermined condition has been met, the fake number ofgames being different from the predetermined number of games; (b)changing the one control data to the other control data to change thespecific area having increased probability of receiving the ball afterhaving executed the predetermined number of games; and (c) advancing thegame based on the other control data.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when thepredetermined condition has been met, the notice is provided that thegame is advanced by the other control data which is different from theone control data after the predetermined number of games is executed.Then, the control data is changed to change the specific area having theincreased probability of receiving the ball after the predeterminednumber of games is executed and then the game is advanced.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides control method of agaming apparatus which comprises the following configuration. That is,the control method of the gaming apparatus comprises: (a) making awinning determination when a predetermined condition has been met duringa game based on one control data among the plurality of control data ineach of which at least one of a roulette wheel rotation condition and aball launching condition is set so that probability of receiving a ballin a specific area of the plurality of pockets numbered respectively ona roulette wheel increases; (b) providing notice of advancing the gamebased on another control data after executing a predetermined number ofgames when winning is determined in the winning determination; (c)providing notice of advancing the game based on the other control dataafter executing a fake number of games when losing is determined in thewinning determination, the fake number of games being different from thepredetermined number of games; (d) changing the one control data to theother control data.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the winningdetermination is made when the predetermined condition has been met.Then, when winning is determined by the winning determination, thenotice is provided that the game is advanced by the other control datawhich is different from the one control data after the predeterminednumber of games is executed. Then, the control data is changed to changethe specific area having the increased probability of receiving the balland then the game is advanced. On the other hand, when winning is notdetermined by the winning determination, the notice is provided that thegame is advanced by the other control data after the fake number ofgames is executed. The fake number of games is different from thepredetermined number of games. Then the control data is changed tochange the specific area having the increased probability of receivingthe ball after the predetermined number of games is executed and thenthe game is advanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a control method of a gaming apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a roulette apparatus according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appearance showing the generalconfiguration of a roulette gaming machine according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of control data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on adisplay panel.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of theroulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area of a ROM of theroulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area of a RAM of theroulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of theroulette apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a storage area of a ROM of theroulette apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of astation according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 12 to 14 are flowcharts showing game processing of the roulettegaming machine according to the present embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing a control method of a gaming apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a planview of a roulette apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3is a perspective view of the appearance showing the generalconfiguration of a roulette gaming machine according to the presentembodiment.

In the present embodiment, a control method of a roulette gamingmachine, as an example of the gaming apparatus, will be described.Although the roulette gaming machine is a gaming apparatus of standalonetype not connected to a network, the present invention can also beapplied to a gaming apparatus connected to a network.

In a roulette gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment, agame progresses by one control data. In the control data, at least oneof a rotation condition of a roulette wheel 22 and a launching conditionof a ball 27 is set, so that probability of receiving the ball in aspecific area of a plurality of pockets 23 would increase. The roulettegaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment stores a pluralityof control data. In the respective control data, at least one of therotation condition of the roulette wheel 22 and the launching conditionof the ball 27 is set so that a different area of the plurality of thepockets 23 would receive the ball 27 with higher probability.

In such a state of gaming progress, whether or not the predeterminedcondition has been met is determined in the present embodiment (stepS101). In this processing, it is determined that the predeterminedcondition has been met. For example, the predetermined condition is thecase where the ball 27 is successively received in the same pocket 23 orthe same area (it is assumed that the two or more pockets 23 constitutean area) several times, where a predetermined time elapses, where thepayout amount of coins to the player is small and so on. In addition,the case where the payout amount is small may include a case where onlythe payout amount to a specific player is small or a case where thepayout amount is small on the whole.

When it is determined that the predetermined condition has not been met(step S101: NO), this processing is repeated. On the other hand, when itis determined that the predetermined condition has been met (step S101:YES), the winning determination is made (step S102). The winningdetermination is whether or not to provide a true notification to theplayer in step S104 and S105 to be described later.

Then, it is determined whether or not winning is determined by thewinning determination (step S103). When the result of the winningdetermination is winning (step S103: YES), the notice is provided to theplayer that the control data is changed after the predetermined numberof games is executed (step S104). When the control data is changed, thespecific area having the increased probability of receiving the ball ischanged. Due to this, the player is obliged to consider with enthusiasmwhich part of the plurality of pockets 23 becomes the specific areahaving increased probability of receiving the ball is improved and theentertainment is increased.

By the way, the notice of changing the control data may be provided toall of the players or only to a specific player (specific players). Forexample, when the notice is provided to all of the players, the noticeof showing that the control data is changed and the game is advanced(for example, the letters “the specific area having the increasedprobability of receiving the ball is changed” etc.) is displayed on allof the display panels of the respective players. Alternatively, thenotice showing that the control data is changed and the game is advancedmay be displayed on the electroluminescence display (large-sizeddisplay) 5 that can be recognized visually from the position of eachplayer. On the other hand, when the notice is provided only to aspecific player (specific players), the notice showing that the controldata is changed and the game is advanced is displayed on the displaypanel 8 of each player.

Again, FIG. 1 is referred to. After step S104, the control data ischanged after the predetermined number of games is executed (step S106).Due to this, the specific area having the increased probability ofreceiving the ball is changed and then the game is advanced.

When the result of the winning determination is not winning (step S103:NO), the notice is provided to the player that the control data ischanged after the fake (gimmick) number of games is executed (stepS105). The fake number of games is different from the above-mentionedpredetermined number of games. In this manner, the player is obliged toconsider with enthusiasm whether the notified number of times of thegame is true or fake and thus the gaming amusement is further improvedand the entertainment is increased because the fake number of games isnotified.

Then, after the predetermined number of games is executed, the controldata is changed (step S106) and then the processing moves to step S101.By the way, it may also be possible to provide the notice in step S105to all of the players or only to the specific player(s).

Next, the detailed configuration of the roulette gaming machine 1according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG.2, a roulette apparatus 3 of the roulette gaming machine 1 includes aframe body 21 fixed on a cabinet 2 (refer to FIG. 3) and the roulettewheel 22 rotatably accommodated and supported inside the frame body 21.On the top surface of the roulette wheel 22, many number pockets 23 (38pockets in total in the present embodiment) are formed. Further, on thetop surface of the roulette wheel 22 outside each of the number pockets23, there is provided a number plate 25 displaying each number of “0”,“00”, “1” to “36” corresponding to each number pocket 23.

Within the frame body 21, a ball throw-in opening 36 is formed. To theball throw-in opening 36, a ball throw-in apparatus 104 (refer to FIG.9) is coupled. Accompanying the drive of the ball throw-in apparatus104, the ball 27 is thrown onto the roulette wheel 22 from the ballthrow-in opening 36. In addition, a hemisphere-shaped transparent acrylcover 28 (refer to FIG. 3) covers the whole of the roulette apparatus 3thereabove.

Below the roulette wheel 22, a wheel drive motor 106 (refer to FIG. 9)is provided. Accompanying the drive of the wheel drive motor 106, theroulette wheel 22 rotates.

In addition, below the roulette wheel 22, metal plates (not shown) areattached at predetermined intervals. A proximity sensor of a pocketposition detecting circuit 107 (refer to FIG. 9) detects the metalplate, and thereby, the position of the number pocket 23 is detected.

The frame body 21 is inclined gradually toward the inside and a guidewall 29 is formed in the middle thereof. The thrown-in ball 27 rotatesby its centrifugal force, being guided by the guide wall 29. When therotation speed decreases and the centrifugal force lessens, the ball 27rolls down the slope of the frame body 21 inwardly, reaching therotating roulette wheel 22. Then, the ball 27 that has reached theroulette wheel 22 passes through the top of the number plate 25 outsidethe rotating roulette wheel 22 and is received in any one of the numberpockets 23. As a result, the number of the number pocket 23 that hasreceived the ball 27 is detected by a ball sensor 105 (refer to FIG. 9).The detected number is a winning number.

The rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and the launching of the ball 27are executed based on the control data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing anexample of the control data. As shown in FIG. 4, the control dataincludes a motor drive time, a ball initial velocity, and a launchingdelay time.

The motor drive time is a time for which the wheel drive motor 106(refer to FIG. 9) is driven. The roulette wheel 22 is rotated at apredetermined rotation speed for the motor drive time by the wheel drivemotor 106. After the drive by the wheel drive motor 106 is ended, therotation speed decreases gradually and then the roulette wheel 22 comesto a stop after a while. The ball initial velocity is an initialvelocity at which the ball 27 is thrown in from the ball throw-inapparatus 104. The launching delay time is a time from when one of thenumber pockets 23, which is a predetermined one, passes by apredetermined position until the ball 27 is launched.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roulette wheel 22 is divided into six areas(specific portions) A to F. Each area consists of neighboring six orseven of the number pockets 23.

Each of the control data is set so that any one of the areas A to Fwould receive the ball 27 with higher probability. For example, when therotation of the roulette wheel 22 and the launching of the ball 27 arecontrolled based on the control data of “the motor drive time is 10 sec,the ball initial velocity is a, and the launching delay time is 0”, thearea A would receive the ball 27 with higher probability. By the way,the control data may be set individually for each of the rouletteapparatuses 3 or may be set commonly to all of the roulette gamingmachines 1.

The control data is changed when the predetermined condition has beenmet. Specifically, the control data is switched to another at intervalsof a predetermined time (for example, at every hour on the hour). In thepresent embodiment, the case where the control data is switched to theother at intervals of a predetermined time will be described, however,the predetermined condition is not limited to this. For example, it maybe the case where the ball 27 is successively received in the samepocket 23 the predetermined number of times or where the ball 27 issuccessively received in the pockets 23 in the same group (area) thepredetermined number of times. In addition, it may be the case where apredetermined bonus (for example, a mystery bonus or jackpot) isinvoked, where the amount of currency value bet on the numbers belongingto a predetermined group (for example, an area to be set to receive theball 27 well) reaches a predetermined amount, or where the amount ofcurrency value paid out for the bet on the numbers belonging to apredetermined group reaches a predetermined amount.

In the above-described example, the case has been described, where eachof the areas A to F consists of neighboring six or seven of the numberpockets 23. However, the number of pockets 23 that belong to one groupis not limited in particular. In addition, the number of pockets 23constituting each group may be the same to or may be different from oneanother. Further, in the present embodiment, the case has beendescribed, where the number pockets 23 are divided into the six areas(groups) A to F. However, the number of pockets 23 included in one groupis not limited to six.

In the above-described example, the case has been described, where theareas A to F do not overlap one another. In other words, the case hasbeen described, where the pockets 23 that belong to one group and do notbelong to another group. However, this is not limited, and one pocket 23may belong to two or more groups.

In the above-described example, the case has been described, where eachcontrol data is associated with each area (group) respectively. However,as far as two or more control data exist, there may be an area (group)with which no control data is associated or there may be an area (group)with which two or more control data are associated.

In the above-described example, the case has been described, where thecontrol data is composed of the motor drive time, the ball initialvelocity, and the launching delay time. However, the control data is notlimited to this. The control data may include any one of the datarelating to the rotation control of the wheel 22 (motor drive time),data relating to the launching timing of the ball 27 (launching delaytime), and data relating to the launching initial velocity of the ball27 (ball initial velocity), or data including a combination thereof.Further, for example, as the data relating to the rotation control ofthe wheel 22, the rotation speed of the roulette wheel 22 may beaccepted in addition to the motor drive time.

Next, FIG. 3 is referred to. As shown in FIG. 3, the roulette gamingmachine 1 comprises the cabinet 2 to be the main body, the rouletteapparatus 3 provided substantially in the center on the top surface ofthe cabinet 2, a plurality of the stations 4 (12 units in the presentembodiment) arranged so as to surround the roulette apparatus 3, and anelectroluminescence display 5 provided above the cabinet 2.

The station 4 is an apparatus that accepts a player's bet. The station 4includes at least a medal insertion slot 6 through which a coin or agame medium (currency value: such as a chip, a medal, etc.) is inserted,a console 7 consisting of a plurality of control buttons with which aplayer inputs predetermined directions and a display panel 8 thatdisplays an image relating to a game. It is possible for the player toadvance a game by operating a touch screen 50 (refer to FIG. 11), theconsole 7 and so on while watching an image displayed on the displaypanel 8.

In addition, on the side of the cabinet 2 in which each station 4 isarranged, a medal payout opening 9 is provided respectively. Further, atthe top-right of the display panel 8 of each station 4, a speaker 10that outputs music, effect sounds is provided.

On the top of the display panel 8 of each station 4, WIN lamps 11 areprovided respectively. The WIN lamp 11 at the station 4 that has wonlights up when a number (“0”, “00”, “1” to “36” in the presentembodiment), which was bet at the station 4 in a game, is won.Similarly, the WIN lamp 11 also lights up at the station 4 that has wonthe jackpot (hereinafter, referred also to JP) in a JP bonus game. TheWIN lamps 11 can be recognized visually from all of the stations 4 (12units in the present embodiment). It is possible for other playersplaying with the same roulette gaming machine 1 to check the lighting ofthe WIN lamp 11 at all times.

Within the medal insertion slot 6, a medal sensor 97 (refer to FIG. 11)is provided. The medal sensor 97 identifies the currency value of themedal inserted through the medal insertion slot 6 as well as countingthe inserted medals. In addition, within the medal payout opening 9, ahopper 94 (refer to FIG. 11) is provided for paying out a predeterminednumber of medals from the medal payout opening 9.

Within a corner 12 of the cabinet 2, a server 13 is installed. Normally,the server 13 is accommodated within the corner 12 so as to preventoperations by a player. It is possible for an administrator of theroulette gaming machine 1 to operate the server 13 by opening a door 14on the corner 12 using a key switch. Then, by operating the server 13,it is possible to set various settings of the roulette gaming machine 1.

On the electroluminescence display 5, a JP amount display 15 fordisplaying the amount of JP is provided. In the roulette gaming machine1 according to the present embodiment, three kinds of JP, that is,“MEGA”, “MAJOR”, and “MINI” are provided, as will be described later.The “MEGA” JP accumulates and stores 0.15% of credits bet at all of the12 stations 4. The “MAJOR” JP accumulates and stores 0.20% of betcredits. The “MINI” JP accumulates and stores 0.30% of bet credits.Then, one of JPs is won in a JP bonus game, which will be describedlater, the credits corresponding to the accumulated amount of therelevant JP are paid out for the predetermined station 4. On the JPamount display 15, the accumulated amount of the “MEGA” JP is displayedamong the three kinds of JP. The JP amount display 15 is provided on thetop part of the electroluminescence display 5 and the display contentscan be visually recognized by all of the players who play at thestations 4.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on thedisplay panel 8. As shown in FIG. 5, during a game, a bet screen 61having a betting board 60 is displayed on the display panel 8. Theplayer can bet a chip using the own credits with the touch screen 50(refer to FIG. 10) provided on the front of the display panel 8.

First, based on FIG. 5, the bet screen 61 during a game will bedescribed. On the betting board 60 displayed on the bet screen 61, 38kinds of numbers, that is, “0”, “00”, “1” to “36”, are arranged anddisplayed in a matrix. In addition, specific bet areas are also arrangedin a matrix for betting a chip by specifying “odd numbers”, “evennumbers”, “the kind of color (red or black) of the number”, and “acertain range of numbers (for example, “1” to “12”, etc.)”.

Below the betting board 60, a result history display 65, bet buttons 66,a payout result display 67 and a number of credits display 68 aredisplayed. On the result history display 65, the result of the winningnumbers in the games up to the last game are displayed in a list. By theway, one game is a series of operations from when each player bets ateach of the stations 4, then the ball 27 falls in the number pocket 23and until payout is made based on the winning number. On the resulthistory display 65, when one game is over, the most recent winningnumber is added from the top and displayed, and thereby the history ofthe winning numbers up to 16 games can be confirmed.

In addition, the bet buttons 66 are buttons for betting a chip(s) on abet area 72 (on the grid of a number or mark, or on the line forming thegrid) specified by the player. The bet buttons 66 consist of four kindsof buttons, that are, a 1-bet button 66A, a 5-bet button 66B, a 10-betbutton 66C, and a 100-bet button 66D.

The player specifies a bet position with a cursor 70 to be describedlater by directly touching the bet area 72 on which to bet on the screenwith a finger etc. By touching the 1-bet button 66A once in this state,the player can bet one chip. Each time the 1-bet button 66A is touchedwith a finger etc., the number of bets increases in the order of“1”-->“2”-->“3”--> . . . . In addition, by touching the 5-bet button 66Bonce, five chips can be bet. Each time the 5-bet button 66B is touchedwith a finger etc., the number of bets increases in the order of“5”-->“10”-->“15”--> . . . .

By touching the 10-bet button 66C once, 10 chips can be bet. Each timethe 10-bet button 66C is touched with a finger etc., the number of betsincreases in the order of “10”--> “20”--> “30”--> . . . . Further, bytouching the 100-bet button 66D once, 100 chips can be bet. Each timethe 100-bet button 66D is touched with a finger etc., the number of betsincreases in the order of “100”--> “200”--> “300”--> . . . .

The payout result display 67 displays the number of bets of the playerand the number of credits to be paid out for that. Here, the number ofcredits to be paid out subtracted by the number of bets is the number ofcredits newly won by the player.

The number of credits display 68 displays the number of creditscurrently possessed by the player. The number of credits decreases inaccordance with the number of bets (one credit for one bet). However,when credits are paid out when winning, the number of credits increasesby that corresponding to the amount of payout. When the number ofcredits possessed by the player becomes zero, the game is closed.

On the top of the betting board 60, a bet time display 69 is provided.The bet time display 69 displays a remaining time available for bettingby the player. When bet acceptance starts, “20” is displayed and thenumber decreases one by one for each second and when the number reaches“0”, the bet acceptance is closed. In addition, when the remaining timefor the player to bet is five seconds at each of the stations 4, theball throw-in apparatus 104 is driven and the ball 27 is thrown onto theroulette plate.

On the right side of the bet time display 69, a MEGA display 73 thatdisplays the accumulated number of credits of the “MEGA” JP, a MAJORdisplay 74 that displays the accumulated number of credits of the“MAJOR” JP, and a MINI display 75 that displays the accumulated numberof credits of the “MINI” JP are provided.

On the MEGA display 73, the cumulative sum of 0.15% of the credits betin each game at all of the 12 stations 4 is displayed. On the MAJORdisplay 74, the cumulative sum of 0.20% of the bet credits is displayed.On the MINI display 75, the cumulative sum of 0.30% of the bet creditsis displayed. The numerical values displayed on the MEGA display 73, theMAJOR display 74, and the MINI display 75 are common to all of thestations 4. In the case of winning in the JP bonus game, the number ofcredits of the JP that is won among the JPs displayed on each of thedisplays 73 to 75 is paid out. After payout is made, the initial values(200 credits for “MINI”, 5,000 credits for “MAJOR”, and 50,000 creditsfor “MEGA”) are displayed on the displays of the JP.

On the betting board 60, the cursor 70 indicative of the bet area 72currently selected by the player is displayed. In addition, on thebetting board 60, a chip mark 71 indicative of the number of chipsalready bet and the bet area 72 is displayed. The number displayed onthe chip mark 71 indicates the number bet. For example, as shown in FIG.5, the chip mark 71 of “7” placed on the grid “18” indicates that sevenchips are bet on the number “18” (the number “18” is hidden by the chipmark “17” in FIG. 5). Incidentally, betting on only one number is called“straight bet”.

The chip mark 71 of “1” placed on the intersection point of the grids“5”, “6”, “8” and “9” indicates that one chip is bet on the four numbers“5”, “6”, “8” and “9”. Incidentally, such betting on four numbers iscalled “corner bet”.

Other betting methods include “split bet” for betting on two numbers byplacing a chip on the line between the two numbers, “street bet” forbetting on three numbers (for example, “13”, “14” and “15”) by placing achip on the end of the horizontal line (a line in the longitudinaldirection in FIG. 5) and “five bet” for betting on five numbers of “0”,“00”, “1”, “2” and “3” by placing a chip on the line between the numbers“00” and 3”.

Further, other betting methods include “line bet” for betting on sixnumbers (for example, “13”, “14”, “15”, “16”, “17” and “18”) by placinga chip between ends of two horizontal lines (two lines in thelongitudinal direction in FIG. 5), “column bet” for betting on 12numbers on the grid denoted by “2 to 1” and “dozen bet” for betting onsuccessive 12 numbers by placing a chip on the grid denoted by “1st 12”,“2nd 12” or “3rd 12”.

Furthermore, there are other betting methods using six grids provided inthe lowest tier of the betting board 60, such as a method for betting onthe color of the number display plate (“red” or “black”), a method forbetting on odd or even numbers and a method for betting on 18 numbers “1to 18” or “19 to 36”. Here, these plural betting methods differ in thedividend of credits per chip (payout rate) when the game is won.

When betting on the bet screen 61 configured as described above, theplayer first specifies the bet area 72 (the grid of a number or mark, orthe line forming the grid) on which to bet by directly touching thescreen with a finger. As a result, the cursor 70 moves to the specifiedbet area 72.

After that, by touching each of the bet buttons 66 (the 1-bet button66A, the 5-bet button 66B, the 10-bet button 66C, and the 100-bet button66D) needed number of times, chips are bet on the specified bet area 72.For example, when the 10-bet button 66C is touched four times, the 5-betbutton 66B is touched once and the 1-bet button 66A is touched threetimes, then 48 chips are bet.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of theroulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 6, the roulette gaming machine 1 includes the server 13, theplurality of the stations 4 (12 units in the present embodiment)connected to the server 13, the roulette apparatus 3 and theelectroluminescence display 5 (refer to FIG. 3). By the way, theinternal configuration of the roulette apparatus 3 and the internalconfiguration of the station 4 will be described in detail later.

The server 13 has a server CPU 81 that controls in whole, a ROM 82, aRAM 83, a timer 84, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 32 connected via anLCD drive circuit 85 and a keyboard 33.

The server CPU 81 executes various kinds of processing based on inputsignals supplied from each of the stations 4 and data & programs storedin the ROM 82 & the RAM 83. In addition, by transmitting command signalsto the stations 4 based on the processing result, the server CPU 81controls each of the stations 4 initiatively. Further, the server CPU 81transmits control signals to the roulette apparatus 3 and controls thelaunching of the ball 27 and the rotation of the roulette wheel 22.

The ROM 82 is constituted by, for example, a semiconductor memory, etc.The ROM 82 stores programs that implement basic functions of theroulette gaming machine 1, programs that execute the notification of themaintenance time and the setting & management of the notificationcondition, dividend rate data (the number of credits to be paid out forwinning per chip) of the roulette game and programs that control each ofthe stations 4, etc.

The RAM 83 temporarily stores the bet information supplied from each ofthe stations 4, the winning number of the roulette apparatus 3determined by the sensor, the accumulated amount of JP and data aboutthe result of the processing executed by the server CUP 81, etc.

The timer 84 for time measurement is connected to the server CPU 81. Thetime information of the timer 84 is transmitted to the server CPU 81 andthe server CPU 81 controls the rotation of the roulette wheel 22 and thethrown-in of the ball 27 to be described later based on the timeinformation of the timer 84. Furthermore, when the predeterminedcondition is the elapse of the predetermined time, the server CPU 81determines whether or not the predetermined condition is met based onthe time information of the timer 84.

In addition, the server CPU 81 executes the effect by electricdecoration by controlling the light emission of an LED of theelectroluminescence display 5. Further, the server CUP 81 displayspredetermined letters on the electroluminescence display 5. As mentionedabove, when the notice is provided to all of the players, the server CPU81 displays notice that the control data will be changed on theelectroluminescence display 5. Furthermore, the server CPU 81 displaysthe accumulated amount of JP (the “MEGA” JP in the present embodiment)on the JP amount display 15 of the electroluminescence display 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the storage area of the ROM 82 ofthe roulette gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 7, the ROM 82 has a dividend storage area 82A storing thedividend rate relating to the game. Incidentally, the dividend rate foreach bet area 72 stored in the dividend storage area 82A is determinedin advance as “×2” to “×36” depending on the kind of betting (“straightbet”, “corner bet”, “split bet”, etc.).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the storage area of the RAM 83 ofthe roulette gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 8, the RAM 83 has a bet information storage area 83Astoring the bet information of the player now playing the game, awinning number storage area 83B storing the winning number of theroulette apparatus 3 determined by the ball sensor 105, a “MINI” JPaccumulation storage area 83C storing the number of accumulated creditsof the “MINI” JP, a “MAJOR” JP accumulation storage area 83D storing thenumber of accumulated credits of the “MAJOR” JP and a “MEGA” JPaccumulation storage area 83E storing the number of accumulated creditsof the “MEGA” JP. Specifically, the bet information is information aboutthe bet area 72 specified on the bet screen 61 (refer to FIG. 5), thenumber of bet chips (number of bets) and the betting at the station 4such as the kind of betting etc.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of theroulette apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 9, the roulette apparatus 3 includes a controller 109, the pocketposition detecting circuit 107, the ball throw-in apparatus 104, theball sensor 105, the wheel drive motor 106 and a ball collectingapparatus 108.

The controller 109 has a CPU 101, a ROM 102 and a RAM 103. The CPU 101controls the launching of the ball 27 and the rotation of the roulettewheel 22 based on control signals supplied from the server 13 and data &programs stored in the ROM 102 & the RAM 103.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the storage area of the ROM 102of the roulette apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment. Asshown in FIG. 10, the ROM 102 has a control data storage area 102A andstores the control data shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is referred to again. The pocket position detecting circuit 107has a proximity sensor. The pocket position detecting circuit 107detects the position of the number pocket 23 by detecting the metalplates attached to the roulette wheel 22.

The ball throw-in apparatus 104 throws in the ball 27 onto the roulettewheel 22 from the ball throw-in opening 36 (refer to FIG. 1). The ballthrow-in apparatus 104 throws in the ball 27 at the initial velocity setin the control data. In addition, the ball throw-in apparatus 104 throwsin the ball 27 with timing based on the launching delay time set in thecontrol data. In other words, the ball 27 is thrown in when thelaunching delay time elapses after the pocket position detecting circuit107 detects that the predetermined number pocket 23 (for example, “00”)has passed by a predetermined position (for example, in front of theball throw-in opening 36).

The ball sensor 105 detects which number pocket 23 has received the ball27. The detection result is output as a detection signal. The wheeldrive motor 106 rotates the roulette wheel 22. The wheel drive motor 106stops driving when the motor drive time set in the control data elapsesfrom the rotating start. The ball collecting apparatus 108 collects theball 27 on the roulette wheel 22 after the game is over.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of thestation 4 according to the present embodiment. By the way, the stations4 provided in 12 units have basically the same configuration and thenone of the stations 14 will be described below as an example.

As shown in FIG. 11, the station 4 includes a station controller 90constituted by a station CPU 91, a ROM 92 and a RAM 93. The ROM 92 isconstituted, for example, by a semiconductor memory. The ROM 92 storesprograms that implement basic functions of the station 4, variousprograms necessary for the control of the rest of the stations 4, datatables and so on. In addition, the RAM 93 temporarily stores variousdata operated by the station CPU 91, the number of credits possessed bythe player (saved at the station 4), the state of betting by the playerand so on.

In addition, a bet confirming button 47, a payout button 48 and a helpbutton 49 provided on the console 7 (refer to FIG. 3) are connected tothe station CPU 91 respectively.

The bet confirming button 47 is a button that confirms the bet after thebetting operation on the display panel 8. The payout button 48 ispressed down normally when the game is over. When the payout button 48is pressed down, medals in accordance with the credits possessed by theplayer (normally, one medal for one credit) are paid out from the medalpayout opening 9. The help button 49 is pressed down when the operationmethod of the game is unclear. When the help button 49 is pressed down,a help screen showing various kinds of operation information isdisplayed on the display panel 8.

The station CPU 91 performs control to execute various correspondingoperations based on the operation signal output when each button ispressed down. Specifically, the station CPU 91 executes various kinds ofprocessing based on the input signal supplied from the console 7 by theplayer's operation and the data & programs stored in the ROM 92 & theRAM 93. And the station CPU 91 transmits the processing result to theserver CPU 81.

In addition, the station CPU 91 receives the command signal from theserver CPU 81 and advances the game by controlling the peripheraldevices constituting the station 4. The station CPU 91 executes variouskinds of processing in accordance with the contents of the processingbased on the input signal supplied from the console 7 by the player'soperation and the data & programs stored in the ROM 92 & the RAM 93. Thestation CPU 91 advances the game by controlling the peripheral devicesconstituting the station 4 based on the processing result.

Further, a hopper 94 is connected to the station CPU 91. The hopper 94pays out a predetermined number of medals from the medal payout opening9 (refer to FIG. 3) by the command signal from the station CPU 91.

Furthermore, the display panel 8 is connected to the station CPU 91 viaan LCD drive circuit 95. As mentioned above, the station CPU 91 displaysthat the control data is changed on the display panel 8 via LCD drivecircuit 95 when the notice is provided to all of the players or only tothe specific player(s).

Furthermore, the display panel 8 is connected to the station CPU 91 viaan LCD drive circuit 95. The station CPU 91 causes the display panel 8to display a reception screen of the control data change operation andan acceptance screen of the notification to other players via the LCDdrive circuit 95. When the notification to other players by one of theplayers via the touch screen 50 is executed, the station CPU 91transmits the signal of the notification to other players to the server13. In the server 13, the server CPU 81 transmits the notificationsignal to the station 4 of the specified player. Due to this, thestation CPU 91 of the station 4 of the specified player displays thenotification screen on the display panel 8 via the LCD drive circuit 95.

The LCD drive circuit 95 includes a program ROM, an image ROM, an imagecontrol CPU, a work RAM, a VDP (Video Display Processor) and a videoRAM.

The program ROM stores image control programs relating to the display onthe display panel 8 and various kinds of selection tables. The image ROMstores, for example, dot data for forming an image displayed on thedisplay panel 8. The image control CPU determines an image to bedisplayed on the display panel 8 among the dot data within the image ROMin accordance with the image control program within the program ROMbased on the parameter set in the station CPU 91.

The work RAM is constituted as a temporary storage device when the imagecontrol program is executed by the image control CPU. The VDP forms adisplay image determined by the image control CPU and outputs to thedisplay panel 8. Incidentally, the video RAM is constituted as atemporary storage device when an image is formed by the VDP.

In addition, to the front of the display panel 8, the touch screen 50 isattached as described above. The operation information on the touchscreen 50 is transmitted to the station CPU 91. On the touch screen 50,the player's betting operation is performed. Specifically, the operationof the touch screen 50 (such as the selection of the bet area 72 and theoperation of the bet buttons 66) is performed and its information istransmitted to the station CPU 91. Then, the bet information (the betarea specified on the bet screen 61 and the number of bet chips) of thecurrent player is constantly stored in the RAM 93 based on theinformation. Further, the bet information is transmitted to the serverCPU 81 and stored in the bet information storage area of the RAM 83.

Furthermore, a sound output circuit 96 and the speaker 10 are connectedto the station CPU 91. The speaker 10 generates various kinds of effectsounds when executing various effects based on the output signal fromthe sound output circuit 96.

In addition, the medal sensor 97 is connected to the station CPU 91. Themedal sensor 97 detects a medal inserted through the medal insertionslot 6 (refer to FIG. 3). At the same time, the medal sensor 97 countsthe inserted medals and transmits the result to the station CPU 91. Thestation CPU 91 increases the number of credits of the player stored inthe RAM 93 based on the transmitted signal.

In addition, the WIN lamps 11 are connected to the station CPU 91. Thestation CPU 91 lights up the WIN lamp 11 in a predetermined color whenthe betting on the bet screen 61 is won or when the JP is won.

In the configuration described above, the server CPU 81, the ROM 82, theRAM 83, the station CPU 91, the ROM 92, the RAM 93, the CPU 101, the ROM102 and the RAM 103 function as a controller of the roulette gamingmachine 1 according to the present embodiment.

Next, the server game processing executed by the server CPU 81, thestation game processing executed by the station CPU 91 and the gameprocessing executed by the CPU 101 will be described based on FIGS. 12to 14. FIGS. 12 to 14 are flowcharts showing the game processing of theroulette gaming machine according to the present embodiment.

First, the game processing of the station will be described based onFIGS. 12 and 13. The station CPU 91 determines whether or not the playerhas inserted a medal or a coin based on the detection signal of themedal sensor 97 (step S10). When it is determined that a medal or coinhas not been inserted (step S10: NO), this processing is repeated untilit is determined that a medal or coin has been inserted.

On the other hand, when it is determined that a medal or coin has beeninserted (step S10: YES), the station CPU 91 adds credits in accordancewith the number of inserted medals or coins (step S11). In thisprocessing, the station CPU 91 stores credit data in accordance with thenumber of inserted medals or coins in the RAM 93. Next, the station CPU91 transmits the medal detection signal indicating that a medal or coinhas been inserted to the server 13 (step S12).

After that, the station CPU 91 causes the display panel 8 of the station4 to display the bet screen 61 shown in FIG. 4 (step S13). Next, thestation CPU 91 starts measurement of the betting time available forbetting (step S14). The player can bet on the bet area 72 predicted bythe player by operating the touch screen 50 during the betting time(refer to FIG. 4). The player can also participate in the game after thebetting time has already been started. With the roulette gaming machine1 according to the present embodiment, up to 12 players can play thegame. Further, the acceptance of the betting operation startsimmediately after the previous game is over when the next is startedcontinuously just after the previous game.

Next, the station CPU 91 receives a betting time expiration signal,which indicates the expiration of the betting time, from the server CPU81 (step S15). Due to this, the station CPU 91 displays an image showingthe expiration of the betting time on the display panel 8 and terminatesthe acceptance of the betting operation on the touch screen 50 (stepS16).

After that, the station CPU 91 transmits the player's bettinginformation (the specified bet area 72, the number of bets, the bettingmethod) to the server 13 (step S17).

Next, the station CPU 91 receives the result of the determinationprocessing of the JP bonus game from the server 13 (FIG. 13: step S18).The JP bonus game is executed by the server CPU 18 and will be describedlater. The determination result of the JP bonus game includes whether ornot the predetermined JP bonus game is to be executed at each of thestations 4. Further, the determination result includes which one of thestations 4 is to win the JP (or all of the stations 4 are to lose) whenthe JP bonus game is executed. Furthermore, the determination resultincludes which one of the JPs (“MEGA”, “MAJOR” or “MINI”) is to be wonwhen the JP is won.

After that, the station CPU 91 determines whether or not to execute theJP bonus game based on the result of the JP bonus game determinationprocessing received in step S18 (step S19). When it is determined thatthe JP bonus game is not executed (step S19: NO), the processing movesto step S21.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the JP bonus game isexecuted (step S19: YES), the predetermined selection-type JP bonus gameis executed and the result (whether or not the JP is hit) is displayedon the display panel 8 based on the determination result received instep S18 (step S20). After that, the processing moves to step S21.

In step S21, the station CPU 91 receives the payout result of creditfrom the server CPU 81 (step S21). Incidentally, the payout result ofcredit consists of the payout result of the base game and the JP payoutresult of the JP bonus game.

Next, the station CPU 91 makes payout of credit based on the payoutresult received in step S21 (step S22). Specifically, the credit datacorresponding to the game dividend and the credit data corresponding tothe accumulated JP dividend with the winning of the JP bonus game arestored in the RAM 93, respectively. Then, medals in accordance with thenumber of credits (normally, one medal for one credit) stored in the RAM93 are paid out from the medal payout opening 9 when the payout button48 is pressed down.

Then, when the game is continued at any of the stations, the processingmoves to step S13 and the next game is started. On the other hand, whenthe game at all of the station 4 is terminated, the game processingitself is terminated.

Next, the game processing of the server will be described based on FIGS.12 to 14. First, the server CPU 81 receives the medal detection signalfrom the station CPU 91 and determines whether or not the player hasinserted a medal or coin (step S30). In the roulette gaming machine 1according to the present embodiment, the medal detection signal is sentfrom the station CPU 91 of the station 4 to the server CPU 81 when amedal or coin is inserted at any one of the stations 4.

Next, the server CPU 81 starts measurement of the betting time from thetime point when the first player inserts a medal or coin andparticipates in the game (step S31). The betting time is a period duringwhich the input of betting is possible. The player who has participatedin the game can bet on the bet area 72 predicted by the player duringthe betting time by operating the touch screen 50.

Next, the server CPU 81 determines whether or not the remaining bettingtime is five seconds (step S32). Incidentally, the remaining bettingtime is displayed on the bet time display 69 (refer to FIG. 4). When itis determined that the remaining time is more than five seconds (stepS32: NO), this processing is repeated.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the remaining time is fiveseconds (step S32: YES), the server CPU 81 transmits the control signalto start the operation of the roulette apparatus 3 to the CPU 101 (stepS33).

After that, the server CPU 81 determines whether or not the betting timehas expired (step S34). When it is determined that the betting time hasnot expired yet (step S34: NO), this processing is repeated. On theother hand, when it is determined that the betting time has expired(step S34: YES), the server CPU 81 transmits the betting time expirationsignal to the station CPU 91 (step S35). Upon receipt of the expirationsignal, the station CPU 91 terminates the acceptance of the bettingoperation at the station 4.

Next, the server CPU 81 receives the bet information (the specified betarea 72, the number of bets, the betting method) at the stations 4 fromthe each station CPU 91 (step S36) and stores the information in the betinformation storage area 83A of the RAM 83.

After that, the server CPU 81 executes the JP accumulation processingbased on the total credit bet at the stations 4 received in step S36(step S37). In this processing, the server CPU 81 adds 0.30% of thetotal credit to the amount recorded in the “MINI” JP accumulationstorage area 83C of the RAM 83. In addition, the server CPU 81 adds0.20% of the total credit to the amount recorded in the “MAJOR” JPaccumulation storage area 83D of the RAM 83 and adds 0.15% of the totalcredit to the amount recorded in the “MEGA” JP accumulation storage area83E of the RAM 83. Further, the server CPU 81 updates the displays ofthe JP amount display 15, the MEGA display 73, the MAJOR display 74, andthe MINI display 75 based on the JP amount.

Next, the server CPU 81 executes the JP bonus game determinationprocessing (FIG. 13: step S38). In this processing, the server CPU 81determines whether or not the JP bonus game is executed at each of thestations 4 using the random number value sampled in the samplingcircuit, etc. Further, when it is determined that the JP bonus game willbe executed, the server CPU 81 determines which one of the stations 4will be win the JP (or all of the stations 4 are to lose). In addition,the server CUP 81 determines which one of the JPs (“MEGA”, “MAJOR”, or“MINI”) will be won.

Next, the server CPU 81 transmits the determination result of the JPbonus game to each of the stations 4 based on the processing in step S38(step S39). After that, the server CPU 81 transmits the signal torequest the detection signal of the ball sensor 105 to the rouletteapparatus 3 (step S40). Due to this, the roulette apparatus 3 transmitsthe detection signal obtained by the ball sensor 105 to the server CPU81. The server CPU 81 receives the detection signal (step S41).

Then, the server CPU 81 determines which number pocket 23 has receivedthe ball 27 (step S42). Next, the server CPU 81 determines whether ornot the betting at each of the stations 4 is winning based on the betinformation of each of the stations 4 received in step S36 and thepocket determined in step S42 (step S43).

After that, the server CPU 81 executes the dividend calculationprocessing (step S44). In the dividend calculation processing, theserver CPU 81 first recognizes the number of winning bets for each ofthe stations 4. Then, the server CPU 81 calculates the total amount ofdividend of credit to be paid out using the dividend rate stored in thedividend storage area 82A of the ROM 82. Here, the dividend rate is thenumber of credits to be paid out per bet.

Next, the server CPU 81 executes the transmission processing of thecredit payout result based on the dividend calculation processing instep S44 (step S45). The server CPU 81 also executes the transmissionprocessing of the JP payout results based on the JP bonus gamedetermination processing in step S38 (step S45). Specifically, theserver CPU 81 outputs credit data corresponding to the dividend amountto the station CPU 91 of the winning station 4. In addition, the serverCPU 81 further outputs credit data corresponding to the accumulated JPamount to the station CPU 91 of the station 4 that has won the JP.

The server CPU 81 transmits the control signal to the roulette apparatus3 in order to drive the ball collecting apparatus 108 provided below theroulette wheel 22. Then, the ball collecting apparatus 108 collects theball 27 on the roulette wheel 22 (step S46). The collected ball 27 isthrown in onto the roulette wheel 22 again in the subsequent game.

Next, the server CPU 81 determines whether or not the predetermined time(in the present embodiment, at every hour on the hour) has elapsed (FIG.14: step S47). In other words, the CPU 81 determines whether or not thepredetermined condition has been met. When it is determined that thepredetermined time has not elapsed (step S47: NO), the processing movesto step S54.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time haselapsed (step S47: YES), the server CPU 81 executes the winningdetermination (step S48). Then, the server CPU 81 determines whether ornot winning is hit by the winning determination processing (step S49).

When it is determined that the result of the winning determination iswinning (step S49: YES), the server CPU 81 determines to provide a truenotification (step S50) and the notification is provided to the playerthat the control data is changed after the predetermined number of gamesis executed. Then, the processing moves to step S54.

Here, as described above, the notification may be provided to all of theplayers or only to the specific player(s). When the notification isprovided to all of the players, the server CPU 81 transmits the signalto change the control data to each of the stations 4. Due to this, thestation CPU 91 displays the notice showing that the control data ischanged and the game is advanced on the display panel 8. Alternatively,it may also be possible for the server CPU 81 to display the noticeshowing that the control data is changed and the game is advanced on theelectroluminescence display 5 without transmitting the signal to thestation 4. On the other hand, when the notice is provided only to thespecific player(s), the server CPU 81 displays the notice showing thatthe control data is changed and the game is advanced on the displaypanel 8 of the specific player(s).

On the other hand, when winning is not determined by the winningdetermination (step S49: NO), the server CPU 81 determines to provide afake (gimmick) notification (step S52) and notifies the player that thecontrol data will be changed after the fake (gimmick) number of gameshas been executed (step S53). The fake (gimmick) number of games isdifferent from the predetermined (true) number of games. After that, theprocessing moves to step S54. The notice here is provided in the samemanner as that in step S51.

In step S54, the server CPU 81 determines whether or not thepredetermined number of games is executed after the predeterminedcondition has been met (from the predetermined time) (step S54). When itis determined that the predetermined number of games is not executed(step S54: NO), the processing moves to step S30.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined numberof games is executed (step S54: YES), the server CPU 81 transmits thesignal to change the control data to the roulette apparatus 3 (stepS55). The roulette apparatus 3 having received the signal to change thecontrol data changes the control signal and thus the specific area ischanged. Due to this, the player is obliged to consider with enthusiasmwhich area becomes the specific area having the increased probability ofthe receiving the ball and the gaming amusement is improved and theentertainment is increased. Then, the processing moves to step S30 afterstep S55.

Next, the game processing of the roulette will be described based onFIGS. 12 to 14.

First, upon receipt of the operation signal of the roulette apparatus 3from the server 13, the CPU 101 drives the wheel drive motor 106 for themotor drive time set in the current control data to rotate the roulettewheel 22 (step S60).

Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not a predetermined time (forexample, 20 seconds) has elapsed after the rotation of the roulettewheel 22 is started (step S61). When it is determined that thepredetermined time has not elapsed (step S61: NO), this processing isrepeated.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time haselapsed (step S61: YES), the CPU 101 determines whether or not thespecific pocket 23 (for example, “00”) has passed by a specific position(for example, in front of the ball throw-in opening 36) by the pocketposition detecting circuit 107 (step S62). When it is determined thatthe specific pocket 23 has not passed by the specific position yet (stepS62: NO), this processing is repeated.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the specific pocket 23 haspassed by the specific position (step S62: YES), the CPU 101 drives theball throw-in apparatus 104 to throw in the ball 27 after the delay timeset in the current control data has elapsed (step S63). At this time,the ball throw-in apparatus 104 throws in the ball 27 at the initialvelocity set in the control data.

After that, the CPU 101 receives the request signal described in stepS50 from the server 13 (FIG. 13: step S64). Due to this, the CPU 101transmits the detection signal of the ball sensor 105 to the server 13(step S65).

Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the control data changesignal has been received (FIG. 15: step S66). When it is determined thatthe control data change signal has not been received (step S66: NO), theprocessing moves to step S60.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the control data changesignal has been received (step S66: YES), the CPU 101 changes thecontrol data (step S67). In other words, the CPU 101 executes samplingof random numbers and selects one control data among the plurality ofthe control data stored in the ROM 102 based on the acquired randomnumber. Due to this, the motor drive time in step S60 after that, thedelay time in step S63, the initial velocity in step S63, etc., arechanged and the specific pocket likely to receive the ball 27 ischanged. After that, the processing moves to step S60.

As described above, according to the roulette gaming machine and thecontrol method thereof according to the present embodiment, when thepredetermined condition is met (for example, at the predetermined timein step S47), the notice is provided that the game will be advanced bythe other control data (it is different from the one control data) afterthe predetermined number of games has been executed (for example, stepsS104, S51). Then, the control data is changed after the predeterminednumber of games has been executed and thereby the specific area havingthe increased probability of receiving the ball is changed and then thegame is advanced (for example, step S64).

When the control data is changed as described above, the specific areahaving the increased probability of receiving the ball is changed andtherefore the player is obliged to consider with enthusiasm which partof the plurality of the pockets 23 becomes the specific area having theincreased probability of receiving the ball, and the gaming amusement isimproved and the entertainment is increased.

In addition, when the predetermined condition is met (for example, atthe predetermined time in step S47), the winning determination (forexample, step S103, S49) is made. Then, when winning is hit by thewinning determination, the notice is provided that the game is advancedby the other control data (it is different from the one control data)after the predetermined (true) number of games is executed (for example,steps S104, S51). Then, the control data is changed after thepredetermined number of games is executed and thereby the specific areahaving the increased probability of receiving the ball is changed, andthen the game is advanced (for example, step S64). On the other hand,when losing is determined by the winning determination, the notice isprovided that the game is advanced by the other control data (it isdifferent from the one control data) after the fake (gimmick) number ofgames (it is different from the predetermined (true) number of games) isexecuted (for example, steps S105, S53). Then, the control data ischanged after the predetermined (true) number of games is executed andthereby the specific area having the increased probability of receivingthe ball is changed and then the game is advanced (for example, stepS64).

As described above, by the notice of the fake number of games, theplayer is obliged to consider with enthusiasm whether the notifiednumber of games is true or fake and thus the gaming amusement isimproved and the entertainment is increased.

In addition, the notice is provided to all of the players that thecontrol data is changed and the game is advanced. Due to this, all theplayers are obliged to bet by predicting the specific area. As the casemay be, it is likely that many players can obtain a high dividend andthe game can be energized. At this time, it may also be possible todisplay the notice that the control data will be changed and the game isadvanced on the display panels 8 at all of the stations 4 or on theelectroluminescence display 5.

Alternatively, the notice is provided only to the specific player(s)that the control data is changed and the game is advanced. Due to this,it is made possible to provide the notice only to the player(s) whosenumber of obtained medals is small. As a result, it is possible to givea chance to obtain a high dividend only to the specific player(s) andthus to prevent the player(s) from losing interest to the game.

As describe above, the embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, however, they are just specific examples, not limiting thepresent invention in particular. The specific configuration of each unitetc. can be changed in design adequately. In addition, the effectsdescribed in the embodiments of the present invention are justenumerated as the most preferable effects that come from the presentinvention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to thosedescribed in the embodiments of the present invention.

In addition, in the detailed description above, the characteristic partsare focused on in the description for the purpose of easierunderstanding of the present invention. The present invention is notlimited to the embodiments described in the detailed description aboveand can also be applied to other embodiments and the application rangethereof is various. The terms and wording used in the presentspecification are used in order to describe the present inventionaccurately and are not limiting the interpretation of the presentinvention. It seems apparent that those skilled in the art can easilyenvisage other configurations, systems, methods, etc., included in theconcept of the present invention from the concept of the presentinvention described in the present specification. Consequently, itshould be understood that the description in the scope of the claimsincludes equivalent configurations in the range not deviating from thescope of the technical thought of the present invention.

In addition, each step to derive one result should be interpreted asprocessing without self-contradiction. Further, the processing in eachstep may be described by the expression common to the action of humanbeings, however, the processing described in the present specificationshould be executed in principle by various kinds of devices.Furthermore, other configurations required to execute each step will bemade clear from the above description.

1. A gaming apparatus comprising: a roulette wheel having a plurality ofpockets numbered respectively; a memory that stores a plurality ofcontrol data in each of which at least one of a roulette wheel rotationcondition and a ball launching condition is set so that probability ofreceiving a ball in a specific area of the plurality of pocketsincreases; and a controller operable to: (a) provide, during a gameexecuted based on one control data stored in the memory, notice ofadvancing a game based on another control data after executing apredetermined number of games when a predetermined condition has beenmet, (b) change the one control data to the other control data to changethe specific area having increased probability of receiving the ballafter having executed the predetermined number of games, and (c) advancethe game based on the other control data.
 2. The gaming apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to provide thenotice of advancing the game based on the other control data to all theplayers.
 3. The gaming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein thecontroller is operable to display the notice of advancing the game basedon the other control data on a display provided for each player.
 4. Thegaming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller isoperable to display the notice of advancing the game based on the othercontrol data on a display that can be recognized visually from theplaying positions of all the players to provide the notice to all theplayers.
 5. The gaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is operable to display the notice of advancing the game basedon the other control data on at least one of the displays provided foreach of the players to provide the notice only to a specific player. 6.A gaming apparatus comprising: a roulette wheel having a plurality ofpockets numbered respectively; a memory that stores a plurality ofcontrol data in each of which at least one of a roulette wheel rotationcondition and a ball launching condition is set so that probability ofreceiving a ball in a specific area of the plurality of pocketsincreases; and a controller operable to: (a) make a winningdetermination when a predetermined condition has been met during a gamebased on one control data stored in the memory, (b) provide notice ofadvancing the game based on another control data after executing apredetermined number of games when winning is determined in the winningdetermination, (c) provide notice of advancing the game based on theother control data after executing a fake number of games when losing isdetermined in the winning determination, the fake number of games beingdifferent from the predetermined number of games, (d) change the onecontrol data to the other control data to change the specific areahaving increased probability of receiving the ball after having executedthe predetermined number of games, and (e) advance the game based on theother control data.
 7. The gaming apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the controller is operable to provide the notice of advancingthe game based on the other control data to all the players.
 8. Thegaming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller isoperable to display the notice of advancing the game based on the othercontrol data on a display provided for each player.
 9. The gamingapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller is operable todisplay the notice of advancing the game based on the other control dataon a display that can be recognized visually from the playing positionsof all the players to provide the notice to all the players.
 10. Thegaming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the controller isoperable to display the notice of advancing the game based on the othercontrol data on at least one of the displays provided for each of theplayers to provide the notice only to a specific player.
 11. A controlmethod of a gaming apparatus, comprising: providing, during a gameexecuted based on one control data among the plurality of control datain each of which at least one of a roulette wheel rotation condition anda ball launching condition is set so that probability of receiving aball in a specific area of the plurality of pockets numberedrespectively on a roulette wheel increases, notice of advancing a gamebased on another control data after executing a predetermined number ofgames when a predetermined condition has been met, the fake number ofgames being different from the predetermined number of games; changingthe one control data to the other control data to change the specificarea having increased probability of receiving the ball after havingexecuted the predetermined number of games; and advancing the game basedon the other control data.
 12. The control method of a gaming apparatusaccording to claim 11, further comprising: providing the notice ofadvancing the game based on the other control data to all the players.13. The control method of a gaming apparatus according to claim 12,further comprising: displaying the notice of advancing the game based onthe other control data on a display provided for each player.
 14. Thecontrol method of a gaming apparatus according to claim 12, furthercomprising: displaying the notice of advancing the game based on theother control data on a display that can be recognized visually from theplaying positions of all the players to provide the notice to all theplayers.
 15. The control method of a gaming apparatus according to claim11, further comprising: displaying the notice of advancing the gamebased on the other control data on at least one of the displays providedfor each of the players to provide the notice only to a specific player.16. A control method of a gaming apparatus comprising: making a winningdetermination when a predetermined condition has been met during a gamebased on one control data among the plurality of control data in each ofwhich at least one of a roulette wheel rotation condition and a balllaunching condition is set so that probability of receiving a ball in aspecific area of the plurality of pockets numbered respectively on aroulette wheel increases; providing notice of advancing the game basedon another control data after executing a predetermined number of gameswhen winning is determined in the winning determination; providingnotice of advancing the game based on the other control data afterexecuting a fake number of games when losing is determined in thewinning determination, the fake number of games being different from thepredetermined number of games; changing the one control data to theother control data to change the specific area having increasedprobability of receiving the ball after having executed thepredetermined number of games; and advancing the game based on the othercontrol data.
 17. The control method of a gaming apparatus according toclaim 16, further comprising: providing the notice of advancing the gamebased on the other control data to all the players.
 18. The controlmethod of a gaming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:displaying the notice of advancing the game based on the other controldata on a display provided for each player.
 19. The control method of agaming apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising: displayingthe notice of advancing the game based on the other control data on adisplay that can be recognized visually from the playing positions ofall the players to provide the notice to all the players.
 20. Thecontrol method of a gaming apparatus according to claim 16, furthercomprising: displaying the notice of advancing the game based on theother control data on at least one of the displays provided for each ofthe players to provide the notice only to a specific player.